Noon can consider himself unlucky

England coach Clive Woodward informed the players on Monday, a week before he announces the final party, so they can return to their clubs and prepare for the Zurich Premiership season.

Others to miss out are Noon's club-mate Dave Walder, Leeds full-back Dan Scarbrough, Bath lock Steve Borthwick, Wasps prop Will Green, Gloucester flanker Andy Hazell and Sale Sharks duo Alex Sanderson and Andy Titterrell.

The eight players will remain on standby should any player get injured in the lead-up to the World Cup.

All eight players have been outstanding in their attitude Clive Woodward

England play their final warm-up Test on Saturday against France at Twickenham, with 35 players left in the squad.

Five more players will be omitted following the match.

"As expected I've had to make some very tough decisions, but I've made these earlier than I initially intended to in order to give the players as much notice as possible so that they can return to their clubs and prepare for the Zurich Premiership season," Woodward said.

"All eight players have been outstanding in their attitude on and off the field and I can't speak highly enough of them.

"They're all young players who have a future with the England squad, and I hope that they have benefited from the experience they have gained in the last few weeks."

Borthwick and Sanderson were both in the England starting line-up that lost to France 17-16 in Marseille.

Balshaw out of France date

Noon and Scarbrough started against Wales seven days earlier, a match in which Walder and Green appeared as replacements.

Neither Hazell, an unused replacement in France, or Titterrell had any game-time to stake their claims.

"I haven't made any decisions regarding the remaining five players who won't be travelling to Australia, but the final 30 will be announced as planned on 8 September," Woodward added.

Noon probably has most reason to feel disappointed, with his omission indicating Ollie Smith and Stuart Abbott are likely to be the back-up centres to first-choice pair Will Greenwood and Mike Tindall.

Woodward still has to finalise the cover in other areas such as scrum-half, fly-half and wing.